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RealBlackStuff Repair Testimonial (old: Need Repair Shop Recommendations)

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redking
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Joined: Thu Nov 30, 2006 2:38 pm
Location: Delaware

RealBlackStuff Repair Testimonial (old: Need Repair Shop Recommendations)

#1 Post by redking » Sat Jun 24, 2017 12:42 am

My T400 is fried. There is nothing on the built-in display and the only activity light is the wireless. The problem is detailed here: viewtopic.php?p=731793

I don't have a soldering iron and the only time I've ever done it was back in high school - I was terrible at it. So I'm looking for a recommendation for a repair shop in the Philly or the surrounding area that can test and replace the necessary fuses to get my T400 working again.

Thanks!

----

RealBlackStuff rocks! See last post for details.
Last edited by redking on Mon Oct 16, 2017 10:36 pm, edited 1 time in total.
First Thinkpad: T60 1953D9U (sold a while ago)
Now: T400 (repaired thanks to RealBlackStuff)

RealBlackStuff
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Re: Need Repair Shop Recommendations

#2 Post by RealBlackStuff » Sat Jun 24, 2017 5:02 am

It will be cheaper and easier to replace the motherboard.
Check the HMM for illustrated instructions: https://thinkpads.com/support/hmm/hmm_p ... 629_05.pdf
And check my website: http://theboardroom.info/stock.html where I offer a T400 mobo complete with CPU/fan/wifi/chassis.
Only $40 shipped.
Or you can send me your laptop and I'll do the replacement for you (also see that webpage).
PM me if interested.
Lovely day for a Guinness! (The Real Black Stuff)
Lenovo: X240, X250, T440p, T480, M900 Tiny.

PS: the old Boardroom website is still available on the Wayback Machine
.

redking
Posts: 16
Joined: Thu Nov 30, 2006 2:38 pm
Location: Delaware

Re: Need Repair Shop Recommendations

#3 Post by redking » Sat Jun 24, 2017 11:13 pm

The motherboard you have in stock for T400 won't work for mine.
First Thinkpad: T60 1953D9U (sold a while ago)
Now: T400 (repaired thanks to RealBlackStuff)

RealBlackStuff
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Re: Need Repair Shop Recommendations

#4 Post by RealBlackStuff » Sun Jun 25, 2017 2:26 am

Why not, it will work in ANY T400.

redking
Posts: 16
Joined: Thu Nov 30, 2006 2:38 pm
Location: Delaware

Re: Need Repair Shop Recommendations

#5 Post by redking » Sun Jun 25, 2017 11:52 pm

I mean it's not a perfect replacement for mine. I have an mobo with the ATI graphics card and a LED display.
First Thinkpad: T60 1953D9U (sold a while ago)
Now: T400 (repaired thanks to RealBlackStuff)

ajkula66
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Re: Need Repair Shop Recommendations

#6 Post by ajkula66 » Mon Jun 26, 2017 12:46 am

redking wrote:
Sun Jun 25, 2017 11:52 pm
I mean it's not a perfect replacement for mine. I have an mobo with the ATI graphics card and a LED display.
Display type - CCFL vs. LED - has no bearing on motherboard compatibility when it comes to these systems.
...Knowledge is a deadly friend when no one sets the rules...(King Crimson)

Cheers,

George (your grouchy retired FlexView farmer)

One FlexView to rule them all: A31p

Abused daily: T520, X200s


PMs requesting personal tech support will be ignored.

redking
Posts: 16
Joined: Thu Nov 30, 2006 2:38 pm
Location: Delaware

Re: Need Repair Shop Recommendations

#7 Post by redking » Mon Jun 26, 2017 9:53 pm

ajkula66 wrote:
Mon Jun 26, 2017 12:46 am
redking wrote:
Sun Jun 25, 2017 11:52 pm
I mean it's not a perfect replacement for mine. I have an mobo with the ATI graphics card and a LED display.
Display type - CCFL vs. LED - has no bearing on motherboard compatibility when it comes to these systems.
Doesn't the CCFL display require an inverter card which is part of the motherboard? That's what I remember reading, which is why I prefer the LED T400 laptops.
First Thinkpad: T60 1953D9U (sold a while ago)
Now: T400 (repaired thanks to RealBlackStuff)

ajkula66
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Re: Need Repair Shop Recommendations

#8 Post by ajkula66 » Mon Jun 26, 2017 10:06 pm

redking wrote:
Mon Jun 26, 2017 9:53 pm
Doesn't the CCFL display require an inverter card which is part of the motherboard? That's what I remember reading, which is why I prefer the LED T400 laptops.
Inverter is NOT a part of the motherboard. Not on ThinkPads anyway.
...Knowledge is a deadly friend when no one sets the rules...(King Crimson)

Cheers,

George (your grouchy retired FlexView farmer)

One FlexView to rule them all: A31p

Abused daily: T520, X200s


PMs requesting personal tech support will be ignored.

jaspen-meyer
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Re: Need Repair Shop Recommendations

#9 Post by jaspen-meyer » Tue Jun 27, 2017 11:43 am

redking wrote:
Mon Jun 26, 2017 9:53 pm
ajkula66 wrote:
Mon Jun 26, 2017 12:46 am


Display type - CCFL vs. LED - has no bearing on motherboard compatibility when it comes to these systems.
Doesn't the CCFL display require an inverter card which is part of the motherboard? That's what I remember reading, which is why I prefer the LED T400 laptops.
The inverter is inside of the screen. It's exactly where the wifi/bluetooth/hdd/etc lets are, extends from those leds to the "T400" text.
T420 i7 3612QM seabios; T420 i7 3630QM; T400 Q9100 seabios; T61 P9600; T60 libreboot; x62; x60s libreboot, led; x24 xiphmont led

redking
Posts: 16
Joined: Thu Nov 30, 2006 2:38 pm
Location: Delaware

Re: Need Repair Shop Recommendations

#10 Post by redking » Tue Jun 27, 2017 9:21 pm

Thank you ajkula66 and jaspen-meyer for correcting my misinformation.

Anyway, I'd still like to get my motherboard repaired, so I'm still looking for recommendations. I'm not confident doing a replacement myself and I'd like to keep everything (cpu, gpu) the same if possible.
First Thinkpad: T60 1953D9U (sold a while ago)
Now: T400 (repaired thanks to RealBlackStuff)

Hans Gruber
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Re: Need Repair Shop Recommendations

#11 Post by Hans Gruber » Wed Jun 28, 2017 6:05 am

You came to the right place. You just have not realized it yet.
:beer: T43p,T61,X200,X200s,x201,T500,W500,T510,T410,T410s,T420s,T430,T430s :parrot:

redking
Posts: 16
Joined: Thu Nov 30, 2006 2:38 pm
Location: Delaware

Re: Need Repair Shop Recommendations

#12 Post by redking » Mon Oct 16, 2017 10:36 pm

Bumping my old thread because I wanted to be 100% sure before I posted anything...

RealBlackStuff fixed my T400 and it's solid as a rock! Three months have passed and my laptop is running smoothly without any weird crashes or freezes. I highly recommend RealBlackStuff if you need any type of laptop work done. I shipped him my T400 and we kept in constant communication over email. He provided great customer service and excellent technical skill. Thanks again! :bow:
First Thinkpad: T60 1953D9U (sold a while ago)
Now: T400 (repaired thanks to RealBlackStuff)

RealBlackStuff
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Re: RealBlackStuff Repair Testimonial (old: Need Repair Shop Recommendations)

#13 Post by RealBlackStuff » Tue Oct 17, 2017 4:53 am

You're welcome!
And thank you for the 'flowers'.

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